Calendula Plants Research Articles

The effect of natural extracts and tea compost in some root growth parameters of Calendula plant under stress by heavy elements

A factorial experiment was carried out in one of the greenhouses to study the ability of the calendula plants to accumulate and resist growth in soil contaminated with toxic elements and plant treatment using plant extracts and treatment with different proportions of bio-organic aqueous extracts in some root growth indicators. The experiment included the use of three factors. The first factor included two types of plant extracts (licorice root and malt grain) in addition to the control treatment, while the second factor was treating the planting soil with two ratios of tea compost (1/5 and 1/10). The third factor was the treatment of Potting soil with the heavy elements copper and lead and their mixture at a concentration of 5 mg kg-1, the experiment applied according R.C.D with three replicate, and each replicate included 3 experimental units. The results of the study showed a significant impact in the characteristics of the root growth. The intervention treatment (malt extract and a 1/5 ratio of tea compost for calendula plants stressed with two elements lead and copper and those not stressed) had a significant advantage in root length and the number of roots with an average of 39.33 cm and 16.67 roots, respectively. While the interaction treatment (licorice extract not treated with tea compost and stressed with copper) achieved an average of 3.292 gm for the dry weight of the root system, the two triple interaction treatments (malt extract, not treated with tea compost and stressed with lead, and treated with licorice extract, not treated with tea compost and stressed with copper) achieved an average of (44.66, 16.320) mg kg soil-1 root content of lead and copper.

Salt stress alleviation in Calendula officinalis L. by potassium nanoparticles application and Streptomyces bacteria inoculation

The current study was conducted to mitigate salt stress on Calendula officinalis L. plants using Streptomyces (Sm) bacteria alone or in combination with potassium nanoparticles (K NPs). Based on the results, morphometric characters, leaf SPAD and relative water content in plants treated with Sm bacteria and K NPs increased compared to the nontreated control under salinity stress. However, leaf ionic leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content decreased considerably in these treated plants. Also, under salt stress, the activity of antioxidant enzymes was higher in Sm bacteria + K NPs -treated plants than in controls. In all plants, endogenous indole acetic acid (IAA) content increased compared to plants grown in non-saline conditions. Inoculated plants reflected a relative increase in IAA by about 28% over the uninoculated plants. The highest amount of abscisic acid (ABA) and putrescine (Put) was related to those plants treated with Sm bacteria + K NPs, which the amounts were 43% and 47% higher than in control plants, respectively. Application of Sm bacteria + K NPs had a helpful outcome on both macronutrients (N-NO- 3, P, K and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, and Mn) of vines leaves. In general, the inoculation of Sm bacteria + K NPs application by improving the uptake of nutrients, regulating phytohormones and increasing the antioxidant enzymes activity resulted in salinity tolerance improvement in calendula plants.

Variation in developmental and phytochemical characteristics of Calendula officinalis L. using foliar application of iron nanoparticles formed on hyaluronic acid

In order to study the effects of foliar application of hyaluronic acid (HA)-stabilized iron nanoparticles (0, 1, and 2 mM) on morphological characteristics as well as some other phytochemical characteristics of Calendula officinalis L., a greenhouse experiment arrangement in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was carried out. Application of Fe nano-complex, significantly promoted all of studied parameters. The highest vegetative growth parameters were achieved by applying 1 and 2 mM Fe nanoparticles/HA (Fe NPs/HA). Also, all photosynthetic parameters, pigments content and essential oil (EO) production significantly increased with Fe nano-complex at 1 and 2 mM concentrations. The EOs were abundant in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, after foliar spraying. In comparison to other treated and control plants, calendula plants accumulated greater flavonoid and phenolic levels in floral parts after being exposed to 2 mM Fe NPs/HA. The calendula aqueous extracts treated with 2 mM Fe nanoparticles/HA had the lowest antioxidant activity. The results of this study showed that all pharmacological parameters had significant interactions with one another at a 2 mM rate of Fe NPs/HA.

AI-Driven Pheno-Parenting: A Deep Learning Based Plant Phenotyping Trait Analysis Model on a Novel Soilless Farming Dataset

Agriculture 4.0 will be data-driven and utilize modern technology in order to monitor plant life cycles and traits resulting in better yield. Pheno-parenting, a new concept derives certain methodologies adopted in plant phenotyping which monitors plants at various stages of their life cycle and supports their growth by deploying modern tools and technologies. In this work, a small-scale Hydroponic system was set up for plant life cycle image data collection and analysis, which consists of thirty plants of three species (i.e., Petunia, Pansy, Calendula) with ten plants from each species grown. A Deep Neural Network (DNN) based approach has been adopted to analyse the key tasks such as plant species recognition, growth analysis, health analysis, and yield stage identification. Calendula plants have been correctly recognised with above 95% detection accuracy in all test cases The result thus obtained indicates, side-view images are more effective at identifying species and tracking growth. On the other hand, top-view photographs do a better job of capturing the texture and colour characteristics of leaves and budding flowers. The Growth Development Index (GDI) metric, which first rises with an increase in nutrient input up to 31 ml and then saturates, has been proposed to provide a better understanding of plant growth, health, and productivity.

Effects of Different Media on Growth and Flowering Traits of Calendula Officinalis L.

Effects of eight different potting media compositions on growth and flowering traits of Calendula was studied. Among different media compositions, T5 have positive effect on root length (18.33 cm), number of leaves (62.77) and number of branches (9.12) per plant while T3 was found to be best for root spread (14.10 cm) and plant spread (22.67 cm). Calendula plants raised in T5 exhibited maximum (6.10 cm) flower diameter and flower bud diameter (1.40 cm), took minimum days (66.39) for flower bud initiation and also for flower bud opening (74 days). Maximum number of flower buds and flowers per plant were recorded in T2. The growth and flowering of Calendula was found superior in media composition of vermicompost and cocopeat. Bangladesh J. Bot. 51(3): 417-424, 2022 (September)

PERFORMANCE OF Calendula officinalis L. IN SUBSTRATES DEVELOPED WITH SOLARIZED SEWAGE SLUDGE AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL WASTES

Efficient products can be developed for the ornamental plant sector using agro-industrial waste. This study evaluated the agronomic performance and ornamental quality of calendula plants (Calendula officinalis) cultivated in substrates formulated with solarized aerobic sewage sludge (SASS), rice husk ash (RHA), and sugarcane bagasse (SB). Five additive rates were used: S2: 33.33% SASS + 33.33% RHA + 33.33% SB; S3: 16.65% SASS + 41.67% RHA + 41.67% SB; S4: 12.48% SASS + 43.76% RHA + 43.76 % SB; S5: 8.32% SASS + 45.84% RHA + 45.84 % SB; S6: 4.16% SASS + 41.07% RHA + 54.76% SB; and S1: commercial substrate (reference). Raw materials and substrate formulations were characterized and agronomic and ornamental aspects were evaluated in calendula plants cropped in all substrates. The lowest agronomic performance was observed in S6 (lowest SASS rate), while the highest occurred in S3 compared to the other treatments. Regarding the ornamental potential, S3 and S4 and the commercial substrate (S1) were classified as excellent. This study highlights the successful use of organic raw materials (SASS and agro-industrial waste) to compose substrates for calendula production in pots, with the recommended proportions ranging from 12.48 to 16.65% of SASS combined with RHA and SB.

MITIGATING SALT STRESS EFFECTS BY EXOGENOUS APPLICATION OF PROLINE AND YEAST EXTRACT ON MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND ANATOMICAL CHARACTERS OF CALENDULA PLANTS

To avoid the hazard effect of salinity on calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), two field experiments were carried out at Sahl El-Husseinieh Research Station, Al-Sharqia Governorate, Egypt during two successive winter seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 in silty clay soil to evaluate the effects of foliar spraying with yeast at 0, 4, 8 and 12 g l-1, proline at 0, 50, 75 and 100 mg l-1 and the interaction between them. The obtained results showed that foliar application of proline, yeast and their interactions led to improve and increase plant growth, floral, physiological and biochemical characters of calendula plants significantly more than those obtained by control, such as plant height, number of branches plant-1, plant fresh and dry weights, number of flowers plant-1, flowers fresh and dry weight, relative water content, carotenoid, total chlorophyll, proline content in plant leaves, as well as the activity of PPO, POX and CAT. Also, the above treatments led to improve calendula plant growth by reducing the activity of both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide and decreasing EL. Application of proline, yeast and their interactions increased the elements content of calendula plant for N, P, K, Ca and Mg %. In the contrary, they decreased Na % in the plant. Results showed that vegetative growth, floral parameters as well as anatomical characters of leaves were significantly decreased under salt stress conditions. The physiological and biochemical characters such as photosynthetic pigments content, relative water content (RWC %) and mineral elements (N, P, K, Ca and Mg %) in the leaves also significantly decreased. Whereas, Na %, proline concentration, the activity of (O-2 and H2O2) and electrolyte leakage (EL %) were increased. Moreover, available N, P and K (mg kg-1) in the soil is negatively affected by salt stress. The combined treatments of proline at 100 mg l-1 + yeast at 12 g l-1 followed by proline at 100 mg l-1 + yeast at 8 g l-1 gave the higher values of plant growth, biochemical and elemental content in plant besides improved the anatomical characters, consequently, increased the tolerance of calendula plants to salt stress under field conditions.

Change in the Fractional Composition of Carotenoids in Calendula officinalis L. as Priming Effect when Using Zinc and Nitrogen Fertilizers in Chernozem

This article considers agrochemical factors as cultivation conditions for medicinal plants, allowing to increase their biomass, as well as to affect the change in fractional composition and carotenoid concentration in Calendula officinalis L. The effect of different doses of zinc and zinc with an additional introduction of nitrogen on morphological changes, blooming, and productivity of Kalta variety calendula plants was traced in a vegetation experiment. The delivery of the main elements and microelements in the above-ground part of plants by variants was studied using chemical methods. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the qualitative composition of carotenoids and their number were established. Based on the data obtained, the calculated value of carotenoid accumulation by the plants for the entire vegetation period was determined. The results were statistically processed. The factors that we selected in the vegetation experiment formed contrasting variants allowing us to determine the most effective agricultural technology for medicinal plant growing.

Associations of papaya leaf curl virus and betasatellite with yellow vein disease of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.)

The calendula plants showing the yellow vein disease symptoms were collected from Madikeri dist. of Karnataka state, India. Total nucleic acid isolated from the infected Calendula plant leaf samples were subjected to PCR using begomovirus specific primer. The PCR diagnostic and whole genome sequencing indicated that the symptomatic calendula plants are associated with Papaya leaf curl virus (PaLCuV). The viral complete genome causing yellow vein disease had showed maximum nucleotide (nt) identity of 91.5–94.9% with begomovirus (PaLCuV) strains previously identified begomovirus from India infecting Croton bonplandianum, Acalypha sp. and chilli. Regarding to begomoviruses criteria for strain demarcation (91% nucleotide similarity), the virus infecting calendula in this report is considered as a strain of PaLCuV. The betasatellite showed maximum nucleotide identity of 89.8% with croton yellow vein mosaic betasatellite (CroYVMB) infecting okra and Croton. According to our knowledge, this is the first report of PaLCuV infecting the Calendula, in India. The result also indicated that calendula plants infected with PaLCuV may act as an alternate host for other economically important plant pathogens.

Physiological and growth responses of Calendula officinalis L. plants to the interaction effects of polyamines and salt stress

Abstract Salt and water stresses are the most important factors limiting plant growth and productivity in the world. Polyamines are shown to have a role in adaptation of plants to salt stress condition. Effects of exogenous spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd) on growth and physiological traits were investigated in Calendula officinalis L. plants under salt stress condition. At all levels of salt stress application of Spd at 1 mmol concentration affected significantly shoot dry matter, peroxidase activity (POD) and proline, protein and total chlorophyll contents compared to the other levels of polyamines. Oxidative activities of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were decreased when plants were treated by 1mM Spm concentration under salt stress conditions. Whatever was the salt stress level, application of Spm at 1mmol increased catalase activity (CAT) and maximum photochemical quantum yield (FV/FM) of calendula plants. Results of this study suggest that polyamines may increase plant tolerance to salt stress by decreasing oxidative damages and increasing enzyme activities.

Effectiveness of Propolis Aqueous Extract on Chemical Constituents of Calendula Plants

This study was performed in order to investigate how the foliar spray of propolis aqueous extract can influence the vegetative growth and flowering characters, chemical constituents and oil composition of Calendula plants. The aqueous extract was applied at four levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 gL-1). It was revealed that propolis was of a positive effect upon all studied parameters; there was an increase done due to the application of the aqueous extract of propolis. The highest results were obtained due to the application of 5, 10 and 15 g L -1 from the aqueous extract of propolis compared to 20 g L -1 and the control plants. 5 and 10 g L -1 gave the highest records of vegetative characters. While, 15 g L -1 had the highest records of all flowering attributes. In chemical composition optimum results ranged between 10 and 15 gL-1. The highest percentage of the most important components of the essential oil; sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (cadinene, α-Muurolene and Muurolene) and sesquiter phenols (α- cadinol, α-Cadinol (Epi) and α-Muurolol (Epi)) resulted from 15 g L -1. Hence, it could be suggested that propolise aqueous extract could be sprayed on calendula plants at a rate not exceeding 15 g L -1 to get higher results.

Harvest date as a factor affecting crop yield, oil content and fatty acid composition of the seeds of calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) cultivars

Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), as an oil-bearing plant whose seeds contain unique polyunsaturated fatty acids that can be used in pharmaceutical, paint and coatings industries. The influence of harvest date on seed yield and oil biosynthesis in calendula seeds has not been widely researched. A three-year field experiment was carried out to examine the effect of harvest dates at 50%, 65% and 80% seed maturity on the yield and fatty acid composition of seven calendula cultivars. The highest seed (1096–1950kgha−1) and oil (181–391kgha−1) yield and the highest oil content (16.39–20.55%) were achieved when calendula plants were harvested with 65% of mature seeds, and yields were somewhat smaller with 80% of mature seeds. The oil from calendula seeds harvested at 80% seed maturity was characterized by the highest content of α-calendic acid (43.60%–54.39%) and the lowest content of the remaining fatty acids. The Partial Least Squares Regression analysis revealed that oil (r2=95.8) and seed (r2=98.1) yield depends on the morphological features of the examined cultivars, such as the number of flower heads, percentage of morphological seed types and climatic factors (mean temperature and total precipitation during the growing season). The results clearly indicate that seed and oil yield was highest in cultivars with the highest percentage of winged and hooked seeds and the highest number of flower heads.

Phenotypic and biochemical profile changes in calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) plants treated with two chemical mutagenesis

Chemical mutagenesis is an efficient tool used in mutation-breeding programs to improve the vital characters of the floricultural crops. This study aimed to estimate the effects of different concentrations of two chemical mutagens; sodium azide (SA) and diethyl sulfate (DES). The vegetative growth and flowering characteristics in two generations (M1 and M2) of calendula plants were investigated. Seeds were treated with five different concentrations of SA and DES (at the same rates) of 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 ppm, in addition to a control treatment of 0 ppm. Results showed that lower concentrations of SA mutagen had significant effects on seed germination percentage, plant height, leaf area, plant fresh weight, flowering date, inflorescence diameter, and gas-exchange measurements in plants of both generations. Calendula plants tended to flower earlier under low mutagen concentrations (1000 ppm), whereas higher concentrations delayed flowering significantly. Positive results on seed germination, plant height, number of branches, plant fresh weight, and leaf area were observed in the M2-generation at lower concentrations of SA (1000 ppm), as well as at 4000 ppm DES on number of leaves and inflorescences. The highest total soluble protein was detected at the concentrations of 1000 ppm SA and 2000 ppm DES. DES showed higher average of acid phosphatase activity than SA. Results indicated that lower concentrations of SA and DES mutagens had positive effects on seed germination percentage, plant height, leaf area, plant fresh weight, flowering date, inflorescence diameter, and gas-exchange measurements. Thus, lower mutagen concentrations could be recommended for better floral and physio-chemical performance.

Mutagenic influences of colchicine on phenological and molecular diversity of Calendula officinalis L.

Six different colchicine concentrations: 0, 400, 800, 1200, 1600, and 2000 ppm, in combination with four soaking time treatments (1, 2, 3, and 4 h), were selected to assess the effects on germination, vegetative growth, and flower yield components in calendula plants. The molecular diversity among the treatments was assessed using ten SRAP marker combinations. Seed soaking in colchicine significantly enhanced both the fresh and the dry shoot and root masses, flowering date, number of flowers per plant, and flower diameter. At 1200-ppm colchicine combined with a 4-h soaking time, a superior effect on seed germination was observed, whereas 800 ppm for 4 h produced the highest number of flowers and the largest flower diameter. The earliest flowering time was found at 800 ppm combined with a short soaking time (1 h), while the 4-h soaking time with 800 ppm, is recommended for growing calendula outdoors, since it enhances flower development. At the molecular level, 752 fragments were successfully amplified using the SRAP primers, with 280 genetic loci found throughout the calendula genome. The polymorphism percentage ranged from 79 to 100% and the polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged between 0.85 and 0.97. The high number of detected loci and PIC values suggests a great power of SRAP markers in detecting mutant molecular diversity. Our results clearly show the existence of genetic variation among colchicine treated calendula plants and the clustering of the studied mutants was concordant with the colchicine concentration used.

MICROPROPAGATION OF CALENDULA OFFICINALIS AND LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA FOR GENOTOXICITY AND ANTIGENOTOXICITY STUDIES

Nowadays, more and more, people are using aromatic and medicinal plants from different sources (leaves, flowers, roots or seeds), in different forms like infusions, medicaments or cosmetics. These products are, many times, acquired at uncertified places without knowledge of their safety. Calendula and Lavandula are plants with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, among other, proprieties, thus it is highly important to know the genotoxicity or antigenotoxicity properties of these plants. For that purpose, in this study we micropropagated Calendula officinalis and Lavandula angustifolia. Nodal segments of each plant were disinfected and installed in culture medium, for Calendula we used MS medium with 1 or 2 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L NAA; for Lavandula we used MS medium with 1.5 mg/L BAP or Kin added to 0.05 mg/L NAA, or 1.0 mg/L BAP with 0.05 mg/L NAA. During eight weeks the number and length of shoots were evaluated for both plants. Calendula plants showed the best results in MS + 2 mg/L BAP + 0.1 mg/L NAA for all parameters studied (6.6 shoots/explants, 63.2 mm length of shoots). Lavandula plants originated higher shoot number and length in MS + 1 mg/L BAP + 0.05 mg/L NAA (3.9 and 47.2 mm, respectively). Studies of genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity using SMART test in Drosophila melanogaster reveal that both plants have some genotoxicity, concerning the antigenotoxic effect Lavandula shows inconclusive or negative results, while Calendula seems to have a little antigenotoxic effect.

First Report of Bidens mottle virus Infecting Calendula in Taiwan

In March of 2010, calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), a perennial herb known as the pot marigold, showing chlorotic spots on leaves, chlorosis, and stunting were collected from Puli Township, Nantou County, Taiwan. The disorder occurred in more than 50% of the calendula plants in the field. A virus culture isolated from one of the symptomatic calendulas was established in Chenopodium quinoa through triple single-lesion isolation and designated as TwCa1. With transmission electron microscopy (TEM), negatively stained flexuous filamentous virions approximately 12 × 720 nm were observed in the crude sap of TwCa1-infected C. quinoa leaves and pinwheel inclusion bodies were found in the infected cells. On the basis of the sizes of the viral particles and inclusion bodies, isolate TwCa1 was a suspected potyvirus. By reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and potyvirus degenerate primers (Hrp5/Pot1) (1,2), a 0.65-kb DNA fragment, which included the 3'-end of the NIb gene and the 5'-end of coat protein (CP) gene of the virus, was amplified from total RNA isolated from TwCa1-infected plants. The amplified DNA fragment was cloned and sequenced. A homology search indicated that the new calendula-infecting virus in Taiwan might belong to Bidens mottle virus (BiMoV) because its partial genomic sequence shared 94.9 to 97.3% nucleotide and 96.6 to 98.1% amino acid identity with 11 BiMoV isolates available in NCBI GenBank. Primer pairs Hrp5/oligo d(T) were used to amplify the 3'-end genome of BioMV TwCa1 including the 3'-end of the NIb gene, the full-length CP gene, and the 3'-nontranslatable region of the virus. The 807-nt CP gene of TwCa1 (Accession No. HQ117871) shared 97.3 to 98.6% nucleotide and 98.5 to 98.9% amino acid identity with those of 11 BiMoV isolates available in GenBank. Results from TEM observations and CP gene sequence analysis indicated that TwCa1 is an isolate of BiMoV. BiMoV was later detected by RT-PCR in eight symptomatic calendulas collected from the same field. To our knowledge, this is the first report of BiMoV infecting calendula in Taiwan. This newly identified calendula-infecting BiMoV could have a direct impact on the economically important vegetable and floral industry in Taiwan.